Libraries Are on the Ballot. Here’s Why That Matters More Than You Think

As a mom of two, my days are filled with the usual chaos—school drop-offs, snacks, skinned knees, sibling spats and that nagging feeling I’m always forgetting something. (I probably am.) But like most parents I know, what really keeps me up at night isn’t the day-to-day juggle. It’s the big stuff: Are we giving them enough? Guiding them well? Making their world better than we found it?

And in the middle of all those questions, I’ve found an unlikely place of peace: our library.

For us, it’s Three Creeks Community Library. The moment I walk in, I feel something shift. The noise in my brain quiets. My kids dart off in different directions—one toward the shelves stacked with the graphic novels she devours, the other toward the cozy kids’ area or the bulletin board full of upcoming programs. Sometimes we stay for hours. We leave with arms full of books, hearts full of ideas and—more often than not—a new conversation about something we discovered.

But here’s the thing: our libraries are at risk.

This summer, voters are being asked to restore stable funding for FVRLibraries—Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries—which serve more than 500,000 people across southwest Washington. This isn’t about building some future system. It’s about protecting the one we already depend on—keeping our libraries open, staffed and strong.

Without a yes vote, the consequences are serious: reduced hours, fewer staff, fewer books and programs and even the closure of at least one library branch. Plans to expand service in high-growth areas would be delayed indefinitely, even as more families move in and fewer resources are available to serve them.

That’s not the kind of community I want for my kids—or yours.

Our libraries aren’t a luxury. They’re one of the most quietly powerful things we invest in as a society. Libraries are launchpads—for early readers, lifelong learners, small business owners and seniors exploring new passions. They’re safe places to ask questions, try something new or simply feel connected in a world that often feels too fast and too divided.

In 2024 alone, more than 1.3 million visits were made to our local library branches. That’s more than the population of Seattle. People come not just for books, but for tech help, tax forms, parenting workshops, language classes, author talks, art supplies and even warmth on a cold day. These are essential services—and for many, they’re not available anywhere else.

Libraries meet people where they are—with dignity, without judgment and always with the goal of empowerment.

I grew up here in Vancouver, and I’ve watched our city grow and change in amazing ways. We’ve become more diverse, more connected, more future-minded. But in all that change, I’ve also seen how the best parts of community—the ones built on inclusion, access and opportunity—don’t happen by accident. They happen because we choose to invest in them.

This August, we have that choice.

The library levy on your ballot would restore the rate voters originally approved—$0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. Over time, that rate has dropped to just $0.27 due to a state-imposed 1% cap on annual revenue growth. At the same time, inflation has risen more than 43%, making it harder for libraries to keep pace with rising costs and the needs of a growing population.

This slow decline in resources has chipped away at what our libraries can provide. A yes vote ensures they have the capacity to continue serving our community well into the future.

It means more hours, not less.
More programs for kids and families.
More books and resources, including in rural areas that have fewer options.
And more libraries in the places that need them most.

For me, it means knowing that the place where my daughter discovered her first favorite book, where my son and I played chess together on a rainy afternoon and where I’ve met some of the kindest people I know—will still be here for the next family that walks through those doors.

Libraries aren’t loud about the work they do. But they are doing work that matters. And this summer, it’s our turn to show up for them.

So yes, I’ll be voting yes on Prop 1.
Because when we support our libraries, we’re investing in learning, in belonging, and in each other.

I hope you’ll join me.

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